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Illustration by Radovan VaricakCar and Driver

2023 Hyundai RM20 N

What We Know So Far

Starting at

$40,000
est.

Overview

Now that Hyundai has shown it's serious about legitimate performance cars with the visceral Veloster N, the company looks to make the leap from hot hatches to mid-engine sports cars with the 2023 RM20 N. While the final product is still a few years away, and we have a lot left to learn, our brief encounter with a mid-engine prototype showed us that the Korean automaker isn't just blowing tire smoke up our tailpipes. The production model will undoubtedly be more civil to drive and might develop less horsepower than the prototype's claimed 390 ponies, but it should boast an impressive power-to-weight ratio that could help its performance compete with mid-engine stars such as the Chevy C8 Corvette and Porsche 718 Cayman. We'll keep our ear to the ground while we wait for Hyundai to divulge more details, but here's what we know so far.

What's New for 2023?

Although Hyundai has confirmed that it's developing a mid-engine sports car for production, we have very little concrete information on the final product. We expect that the RM20 N (what we're calling it for now) will be a less extreme version of the RM19 concept car that debuted at the 2019 L.A. auto show. Hyundai has told us the production model is still a couple years away.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

RM20 N: $40,000 (est.)

We've heard that the RM20 N could either wear a Hyundai or a Genesis badge. While the latter might make better business sense, we think it's more likely that the mid-engine sports car will be sold as a $40,000 Hyundai rather than a $70,000 Genesis. That would put the RM20 N in a price range and league of its own, which would reduce the inevitable scrutiny that comes with directly challenging the Corvettes and Porsches of the world.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

One of the few things that we can say for sure about Hyundai's forthcoming sports car is that its engine will be mounted in the middle of the car. Apart from that, we can only use a combination of speculation and our recent experience with the mid-engine RM19 prototype to discuss its potential powertrain and performance. While the car we drove was based on a production front-wheel-drive Veloster, it featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that sat over the rear axle and produced a substantial 390 horsepower. It paired with a six-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels rather than the fronts. We expect the production RM20 N will have fewer horses to help make it easier to control. It's more likely that the mid-engine Hyundai will have about 325-to-350 horsepower and will route it through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Combine that with a light curb weight and the RM20 N could deliver a phenomenal driving experience and performance that even rivals pricier mid-engine alternatives such as the and the Porsche 718 Cayman and Boxster.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Neither the EPA nor Hyundai have released information on how fuel efficient the upcoming RM20 N will be in the city or on the highway. Once its fuel-economy ratings are announced, and we have a chance to test the mid-engine sports car on our 200-mile highway route, we can evaluate its real-world mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

We're totally in the dark when it comes to guessing what the interior of the first mid-engine Hyundai will look like. While it could take inspiration from the current Veloster, we expect the Korean company to make the inside of the RM20 N unique. It will likely be a two-seater with average passenger space. As long as its cabin is easier to see out of and less claustrophobic than the Supra, we should be satisfied. The Hyundai should have a host of standard and optional features that could include ambient interior lighting, a head-up display, heated and ventilated seats, wireless charging, and more. We don't expect the mid-engine sports car to be especially capacious, but it should have some practical cubby storage and a small trunk under the hood that will hold one or two carry-on suitcases.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The RM20 N will likely have a standard touchscreen infotainment system that's loaded with desirable features. We expect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be included on every model. While Hyundai's systems benefit from physical buttons and knobs, their interfaces are generally generic. Still, if the mid-engine sports car is meant to compete with alternatives such as the Supra and Cayman, it'll probably offer a powerful premium audio system and other upscale options.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2023 RM20 N obviously hasn't been crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). While the regular Veloster N avoids all common driver-assistance technology, the mid-engine model might be available with some extra equipment such as adaptive cruise control and parking sensors.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai has one of the best warranty plans in the industry thanks to its lengthy powertrain protection. The brand also offers one of the longest complimentary maintenance periods around.

Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles

Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles

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